Chess strategies

What kind of goals/strategies are there to pursue in the opening and middle game? Am thinking more specifically for XingQi, but i am sure some concepts are portable.

 All that i have figure out at this point, is Deployment, where you try to get as much of your pieces to an offensive position, Penetration, where you try to get a few pieces deep, to disrupt, and Entrenchment, where you try to protect your area and pieces.

Is there any other goals? Basically, when there is nothing really exciting happening on the board, how do you direct your moves?

 Also, anyone knows if there are any strategic positions in Xiangqi? locations that generally gives a good advantage? such as a cannon in the center, or the corners in reversi?